New Trouble for Clinton Foundation

FILE: June 12, 2012: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department, in Washington, D.C.
(AP)

The Clinton Foundation in the spotlight today as the New York Times, The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal all carry pieces on the Clintons suggesting the appearance of impropriety.. that some of the donations made to the Clinton Foundation could have influenced government policy.

The New York Times writes of a huge deal allowing a Russian company to buy a Canadian uranium mine the, “episode underscores the special ethical challenges presented by the Clinton Foundation, headed by a former president who relied heavily on foreign cash to accumulate $250 million in assets even as his wife helped steer American foreign policy as secretary of state, presiding over decisions with the potential to benefit the foundation’s donors.”

The Washington Post reporting, “Bill Clinton was paid at least $26 million in speaking fees by companies and organizations that are also major donors to the foundation he created after leaving the White House, according to a Washington Post analysis of public records and foundation data.”

The Wall Street Journal writes, “Hillary Clinton's State Department was part of a panel that approved the sale of one of America's largest uranium mines at the same time a foundation controlled by the seller's chairman was making donations to a Clinton family charity, records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal show.”

The Clinton camp has contended that it is ridiculous to suggest any quid pro quo between charitable donations and Hillary Clinton’s actions as Secretary of State. But the appearance of influence peddling is likely to haunt the campaign over the many months leading to the election.

Ed Henry reporting on the latest twists.. and allegations that the Clintons misled the White House about some of the Foundation’s activities.

Peter Doocy reporting on the Clinton Foundation being forced to refile taxes after mistakes were uncovered.

In other news, Congress will be very busy today.

The Senate is expected to confirm Loretta Lynch as the nation’s first African American woman Attorney General.

There are several hearings on the budget including testimony from HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

The House is set to vote on fast track authority for trade deals. It’s a fight pitting Democrats against each other.

President Obama meeting with the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots today.

There are brand new fox polls on the President’s popularity.. which is up.. and on his handling of various issues. Including the war on terror.

Big protests planned today at Noon in Baltimore after the death of a suspect while in custody of police.

EU leaders meet in Brussels to try and figure out what to do about the flood of illegal immigrants taking dangerous journeys from Northern Africa to Europe. Thousands have died in the crossings.

France says it has foiled six terror attacks just since the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January.. including one on Sunday.

Earnings season is in full swing. We get reports this morning from 3M, Caterpillar, United Airlines, and GM. After the bell, we’ll hear from Google, Starbucks, Microsoft and Amazon among other big names.